Herpetological exploration of Iowa began in 1823 with Long\u27s expedition to the Rocky Mountains. From that time until an 1892 publication by Osborn based on Iowa specimens, herpetological research in the state was minor and incidental. Several significant reports appeared after that date involving analysis of Iowa specimens and from 1938 to 1944 a major base-line collection of the amphibians and reptiles of Iowa was established. Studies after that time have added a few species to Iowa’s known herpetofauna but recently have concentrated not only on composition of the fauna and distribution, but emphasized population changes, ecological relationships, and better understanding of life historie
